UDP demands inquiry on circulation of fake notes in Meghalaya

Shillong, Feb 4 (UNI) The United Democratic Party (UDP) today demanded that the government order an inquiry into the circulation of fake notes.

'' The government must institute an inquiry and expose those involved in the racket, '' UDP's youth wing spokesperson Ampareen Lyngdoh told reporters here.

Accusing police of allegedly suppressing information of those arrested in circulating the fake notes and maintaining nexus with politicians, Ms Lyngdoh said the information was not being made public under duress.'' '' The people must know who are those arrested and the kind of nexus they share with politicians through a proper magisterial inquiry, '' she asserted.

On Friday last, Meghalaya police arrested a woman from the state capital involved in the fake currency racket, but refused to divulge any information, stating it would hamper ongoing investigation.

Last Week, police arrested two other persons involved in the same crime, but again did not give out any detail. Police said it was a major fake currency racket with the active involvement of some ''high profile politicians.'' Police seized fake notes worth Rs one lakh, reams of carbon copies of fake denomination notes, Bank accounts and a branded vehicle from those arrested.

'' We have got vital leads but cannot divulge information further now, '' East Khasi Hills District Superintendent of Police A R Mawthoh promised after the woman's arrest.

Meanwhile, the Border Security Force (BSF) and other Central intelligence agencies had tipped off the state police of counterfeit currency of 500 and 1,000 denominations, worth about Rs eight crore, already being pushed into the state.

The BSF had asked its troops to be ''extra vigilant'' in Border Observatory Posts in the run up to the March three Assembly polls.